Page 54 of Colton On Guard
This was her parents’ home. The place where she’d grown up. This house had always felt like a safe haven. She’d retreated here immediately after her nasty divorce and again when she’d decided to relocate to Shelby.
And now she couldn’t even bring herself to sleep in the place. This made her heart hurt.
Continuing past, she took a roundabout route to work. While driving, she constantly checked her rearview mirror to make sure she wasn’t being followed. As far as she could tell, she wasn’t.
What should have been a fifteen-minute drive turned into thirty. Finally turning into the parking area, she pulled up, hoping he was still there. Even though, technically, she couldconsider herself safe, she still sat in her car for a moment longer, the doors locked and the engine running.
She didn’t like who she’d become. Paranoid, stressed, too worried about the possibility of something else happening to enjoy the moment.
Parker must have noticed her arrive because the front door opened and he hurried out. Only then did she finally turn off her motor and get out of the truck.
“Everything okay?” he asked, the concern in his eyes warming her heart. “Why are you back so soon?”
Instead of replying, she swiftly crossed the distance that separated them into his arms. Holding her, he made soothing noises while she told him what had happened. “This is exactly the kind of thing that was happening to me back in Anchorage.”
Steering her toward the building, he waited until they were inside with the door locked behind them before speaking. “I think it’s time you have to consider that your ex and his wife might have something to do with this.”
“Wife?” she blinked. Then, without waiting for his response, she grimaced. “That makes sense. Ann and Chad are exactly the same. Of course they got married as soon as our divorce was final.”
He studied her. “Does that bother you?”
“No.” She didn’t even have to think about it. “I just hate having to consider the idea that they might be the ones tormenting me here. They’re the main reason I moved. I’m far enough away from Anchorage that they’d really have to make an effort. And neither of them are the type to want to exert themselves. That’s why I don’t think this is them.”
Considering her words, he nodded. “Maybe they have friends or family here in Shelby who are doing things for them.”
The idea didn’t make sense. “Who would want to get involved with something like that?”
He started to say something but she reached out and touched his arm to stop him. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” she said. “Would you mind taking me home? Also, giving me a ride to work tomorrow?”
His gaze locked on hers, making her knees go weak. “Yes, I will,” he replied. “Let’s lock up and we can go. And I’ll call my buddy Mike at the tire shop to see if he can get someone to come here and change out all four of your tires.”
Relieved, she gave in to impulse and hugged him. When he tipped her face up to kiss her, she met him halfway.
When they broke apart, they were both breathing heavily.
“We’d better get going,” he said, his voice husky.
She nodded, waiting while he gathered his things. They called the dogs and once they were safely in the backseat of the truck, drove home.
When they go there, he kissed her again. This time, they didn’t even make it to the bedroom.
The next morning, she woke up in her own bed, pleasantly sore. Smiling, she began the now-familiar routine of shower, coffee and breakfast. Parker grinned and winked at her when she strolled into the kitchen. Happy, she found herself grinning back.
As they rode into the office together, she caught herself wondering if life could get any better. Instantly, she chided herself for letting her clearly foolish heart get ahead of her common sense. This—whatever it was—would be fun while it lasted, but it was only temporary. Not the kind of thing she needed to be building hopes and dreams on. She’d already learned her lesson about things like that.
They arrived at RTA early. True to his word, Parker had called his friend in tire repair, ordered the set of tires and arranged for them to be installed on her car as soon as they came in. She’d handed over her credit card, trying not to wince at the amount.
They’d barely finished that transaction when vehicles started pulling into the parking lot. She’d powered up her computer and checked the schedule first thing. Today promised to be a busy day with back-to-back tours this morning and again after lunch.
A steady stream of guests kept her too busy to think.
After logging in each of Parker’s, Spence’s and Hetty’s groups, Genna went around and tidied up the office. Since they had a weekly cleaning service, most of the difficult work had been done, but she liked to keep busy.
As there were no new groups scheduled to go out for at least a few hours, Genna immediately tensed up when she saw a car pull up and park out front. Though her first impulse had her wanting to run to the front door and lock it, she remained behind the counter. Grabbing her phone, she was ready to dial 9-1-1 if she had to.
When she saw Lakin step out of the car, she nearly sagged against the counter with relief. Instead, she waited, wondering what had brought Parker’s sister here. Lakin hadn’t visited since Genna had started working at RTA.
When Lakin sauntered inside, the two women hugged. She followed Genna back to the breakroom. She grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and took a seat at the table.